yes.. you could use a hyd cylinder.. I have a friend who was using his portapower to drive a cylinder which raised / lowered his bottom wheel.. he did have a "pressure" gauge as well (if I remember correctly) however the question as to WHY arizes.. an threaded shaft is alot easier. I use my wheel for shaping.. as well as planishing.. it depends on the project material and my attitude.. often the "hammer" gets it done quicker.
In addition to Ron Covell, check out Kerry Pinkerton's stuff: www.wheelingmachines.com for high quality parts and complete machines. www.metalcrafttools.com is another good place to buy. Paul, I have an english wheel with a rectangular frame for stiffness and the most efficient use of material I could come up with. You are welcome to come by and try it out. I am about 3 hours away from you on the coast. Lessons available as well. John www.ghiaspecialties.com
Hey, I beleve that the Tinman (Kent White) sells, or use to sell lower anvils in semi finished form for cheaper than finished ones. With these and the steel from a local source, I'd think a guy could put together a better wheel for much less than the toy wheels are commanding. Of any of the bench top wheels that I've ever used, the best part was that I didn't own them! Just ok for thin sheet and aluminum, but worthless as mule cum in real steel, and forget about wheelin through any welds. Swankey Devils C.C.
The Hard Chrome shafts I used in the lower adjusters were actually off cuts from making hydraulic cylinders.Machining details in my english wheel album on www.allshops.org To use a hydraulic cylinder as a lower adjuster,you need a spring return cylinder,an easy way to generate controlable pressure,and some way to stop the lower yoke from rotating.If you have to pay for the hydraulics, I would not bother.
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